Working Parts

On 25  of February,  people involved with creative projects by disabled people in Wolverhampton were invited to a meeting which was kindly hosted by Andrew Jemmet at the Arena  theatre and  initiated by Wendy Harper and Bev Stout from Wow Theatre.

Attending the meeting,  was John Farr from  Albert Road players,   Ann Humphreys-Jones  representing the Discovers,  Bev Stout from Wow Theatre. and Clare Drake  representing Outside Centre  and Ginette Mackriel  representing a new group called Expressions.

The purpose of the meeting,  which was facilitated by  the coordinator of Working Parts Alan McLean, was to  to find ways of moving forward as a collective or  as individual groups and to find out how working parts could support them.   Discussion involved the Discovers,  Albert Road players and Wow theatre and focused on the success of last year.   At the Arena Theatre in December all the groups showcased their drama. Also, Training  for was organised by Paul Darke from Outside Centre  and delivered by Richard Hayhow of the Shysters.   In the time that had passed since December,  Albert Road players had transferred to Oxley Day Centre,  and  Wow Theatre  were to move to the same location in March, as would  Expressions who are based at the Maltings Day Centre.

Andrew Jemmett of the Arena Theatre,  asked if the drama groups had the opportunity  of performing again in December 2010 what they  do differently.  There was an ambition expressed to create a  total show,  rather than a performance of sketches by each group.

For the groups  they had artistic ambitions as well as  facing the challenges of achieving their potential using the new  accommodation at  Oxley Day Centre.   It was agreed that the skills of artists, musicians and  Theatre practitioners could help  as well as using venue’s in the city.

Another idea,  arose  from Wendy Harper’s experience of visiting About Face Theatre in Herefordshire,  a  professional company   of learning disabled actors  who had premises to rehearse and devise shows. Alan McLean suggested putting together a seminar  about   best practice  in establishing learning disability arts projects.  This would invite to Wolverhampton  key individuals  and service users  involved with successful arts projects involving or led by learning disabled people.  There must be a lot to learn from  people further ahead than the groups in Wolverhampton.   In addition,   the theme of the seminar would be interesting and relevant  to many learning disability groups  using the arts across the Black Country, West Midlands  and beyond.

In preparation of the meeting  and in consultation, with Wow Theatre the coordinator of Working Parts had prepared a simple  business planning tool,  for everyone to take away with them  and share  with service users.  It was agreed  that each group,  would complete this and thinking about strength in numbers, arranged to meet again on March 23 to put together a business plan outline  which represented the needs of all of the groups.

The aim of doing the business planning,  was to explore  how the groups could work together and share resources.   It would also identify an objective that could focus and motivate everyone involved, like a the starting point for a social enterprise.  Writing down what they need could also attract other people and organisations to help them.